LC Shelter - Meeting Minutes from 12/6/11

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission

Meeting Minutes

12/6/2011

1. Call to order

Terry C. Pallas called to order the regular meeting of the Lake City Shelter Advisory Committee at 2:02p on 12/6/2011 in the Cedar Park Community Meeting Room.

1. Roll call

The following persons were present: 

• Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Terry C. Pallas 
• Lake City Development Council – Joe Simmons
• Cedar Park – Elena Earle
• Lake City Task Force on Homelessness – Melanie Neufeld 
• At Large Business Member – Annie Stocker
• At Large Business Member – Suzie Smith
• At Large Resident Member – Janet Arkills
• At Large Resident Member – Chuck Dickey
• North Council – Cheryl Klinker

1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Minutes were approved by committee on 12/13/2011.

1. Open issues

1. UGM statistical report and testimonies:
   
• The Lake City Shelter opened on Thanksgiving day, 
• Meals Served Since Opening 958 (87 meals a day average), 
• Bed Nights since opening 250 men, 39 women (23 men, 4 women per night average). 
• Of the 55 registered guests at the LCS, over 90% come from Lake City.
2. Testimonies:
   
• “Rebecca came through the doors crying and asking the staff if this was a safe place that she could get away from her abuser and stay the night.  She had to leave her 10 year old son with relatives just so they could both be safe.  She spent the night and the LCS staff got her in contact with Stacy Cleveland, Director or Hope Place the very next day.” 

1. New business

1. Group discussed concern for individuals using LCS services that were previously outside Lake City area.  Concern that individuals from Tent City are coming to the LCS for services. 
2. Committee members were concerned about concentration of homeless individuals drinking and congregating around memorial of deceased homeless man in front of Pierre Ford.  It was suggested that the memorial was going to be moved.
3. Group discussed need for continued patrols for safety and litter pick-up.  Benefit of foot patrol v. patrol by vehicle was discussed.  Foot patrol leads to better engagement and relational approach to breaking up groups drinking and loitering.  Patrol by car can cover a much greater area and vehicles can be decaled to identify purpose.  All agreed that a vest for foot patrol or vehicle decals were necessary. 
4. An inherent philosophical difference was illuminated:  UGM is focused on developing relationships with its guests. The idea being that these relationships will help individuals choose paths toward recovery. Business owners and residents acknowledged the benefits of positive relationships but expressed a differing opinion that a sole focus on relationships can cross the line into enabling. Suggestions were made for ways shelter residents could contribute to the community with the possibility of receiving some kind of incentive for doing so.
5. Committee discussed possible ways to get homeless using LCS to get engaged in positive use of time by helping support Olympic Hill School with cleaning grounds maintenance or other during non-school hours.  Engagement with Douglass Park Cooperative Monday evening patrol may be beneficial. 
6. Committee member brought up report of local business owner who was trepidations about making deposit at night after the close of business because of loitering of intoxicated individuals.  Local business owner reports that 3 men who were highly intoxicated were standing near the bank deposit making her feel unsafe.

1. Action Items:

1.   (Melanie) Is meeting with church members Friday 12/9/2011 to pinpoint times, dates, and specific persons to provide patrols for the Lake City core.  
2. (Janet) Contact Olympic Hills School to see if there are needs shelter residents could help fulfill there.
3.   (Terry) Coordinate with Paul to institute opportunities for shelter residents to participate in the community, such as garbage pick-ups.
4. (Annie) Will you contact Dave Ross and ask about the possibility of shelter residents joining in the Douglas Park Monday evening walks?
5.   (Chuck) Has already provided garbage pick-up equipment and has other equipment available as needed. Is also willing to coordinate walks through the area - Chuck, what would you need from Terry to make this happen?
6.   (Suzy, Terry, Melanie) Suzy offered vehicles and the possibility of small cash to support patrol/garbage pick-up efforts.  Terry or Melanie will contact her to utilize these resources.

1. Adjournment

Terry C. Pallas adjourned the meeting at 3:08p.
Minutes submitted by:  Janet Arkills and Terry C. Pallas
Minutes approved by:  Minutes approved by Advisory Committee on 12/13